RATINGS

Drive [2011]

Fasten your seat belts for the mind blowing “Drive”, an incredible movie that has Steve McQueen’s bad-ass attitude written all over it, and style to rival the best car pictures ever made. Damn, it felt good. If there ever was an award for coolest movie of the year, “Drive” would be it. That’s Ryan Gosling in the lead. He plays Driver, a Hollywood stunt performer and mechanic by day, and a getaway wheel man for criminals by night. Gosling is more than terrific in the role; silent, focused, mysterious. He’s a man of strict professionalism who would never get his hands dirty (he doesn’t even carry a gun). “I drive” he says. And so he does, no past, no emotions, no nothing. His neighbor is Irene, played by Carey Mulligan. She has a son, Benecio, who befriends our driver and even manages to stir up his emotions. She also has an ex-con husband, so driver shouldn’t get too involved until, well…he can’t. A heist gone wrong involving the husband and a femme fatale puts blood on the hands of our man. Soon enough, all hell breaks loose. I shouldn’t reveal more, except that you’re in for a treat. There is violence, and plenty of it, but that’s what makes “Drive” so damn good. It could have easily been another Hollywood movie, much like “The Fast and The Furious” series, but director Nicolas Winding Refn chose differently. His movie grabs you, as soon as it opens, and never let go. Maybe you’ll hate it, and maybe you’ll love it. There is no other alternative. “Drive” is bloody. But it’s also cinema at its best, a collection of images and sounds ready to blow your mind. Brilliant, just brilliant.